Great Wall of China (萬里長城)

The Great Wall of China, or Wànlǐ Chángchéng consists of a series of fortifications that were built across the historical northern borders of ancient Chinese states and Imperial China to protect it against hostile nomadic peoples. The first sections were built in the 7th century BC and later these separate sections were connected and reinforced. The best-preserved sections of the wall date from the Ming dynasty (1368–1644). Watchtowers were added for enhanced control. Soldiers could signal each other by means of smoke or fire and troops could easily move the length of the wall.

The Great Wall of China stretches about 21,000 km (13,000 mi) from Liaodong in the east, along an arc that ends at Lop Lake in the west. Its Chinese name Wànlǐ Chángchéng literally means 'ten thousand li long wall', with 'li' being a Chinese measure of length.

The best preserved portions can be seen north of Beijing and near other tourist centers. In many other places the wall is in disrepair. Stones have been take to build houses and roads and other sections of the wall have been removed to make room for construction or mining. Some bricks with inscriptions have been sold to tourists.